Quisumbing's whistleblower bill passes third reading

CEBU, Philippines - Sixth district Rep. Gabriel “Luis” Quisumbing yesterday said that before Congress went on recess this week, it passed on third reading his bill which seeks to protect and provide protection to whistleblowers.

Quisumbing said that his House Bill 5715 entitled “An Act  Providing for  Protection, Security and Benefits of Whistleblowers was approved last March 21 and is now being endorsed to the Senate.

House Bill 5715, to be known as the “Whistleblower Protection, Security and Benefit Act of 2011,” seeks to safeguard national interest through the prosecution of corrupt and erring public officials and employees and promote good governance.

The bill defines a whistleblower as an informant or any person who has privileged or personal knowledge or access to data, events or information of any conduct constituting graft and corruption.

 It mandates that a qualified whistleblower shall be admitted into the Whistleblower’s Program of the Office of the Ombudsman in accordance with rules and regulations of the Act.

“I am confident that this measure shall also be given priority in the Senate and that the whistleblowers will be recognized as valuable partners in our government’s fight against graft, corruption, and abuses committed by officials and agents,” Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing authored the “Whistleblower Protection, Security and Benefit Act of 2011” with colleagues Reps. Teddy Casiño, Neri Colmenares, Juan Edgardo Angara, Marcelino Teodoro, Niel Tupas, Jr., Joseph Emilio Abaya, Rufus Rodriguez, Maximo Rodriguez, Jr., Ma. Rachel Arenas, and Salvador Escudero III.  (FREEMAN)